Shatter to ‘blow cobwebs out’ of legal profession

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has warned he will drag the legal profession into the 21st century with the Legal Services Bill which aims to reduce legal fees, the Fine Gael convention was told.

“I am determined to blow the cobwebs out of this profession and we will introduce reforms in the public interest and drag it, if necessary, screaming from the 18th century into the 21st century,” he said.

His comments came a month after the European Commission said Ireland’s legal services remained sheltered from competition and were a drag on the economy’s performance.